Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-05-07
THE CHAIN GANG GUARD.

work in tho apparently boundlees cotton
field that belonged 10 Col jefferson Clay.
1t was large plantation, and was al
most entirely worked by q force Of chain
gang convicts, leased 10 Col Clay by the
state authorities.
AS the sun reached the meridian its
rays came down SO pitflessly, and with
such scorching fervor, that the four
guards who kept watch over the miser-
able convicts were compelled to seek shell
ter under the few scattered pines which
dotted little knobs in different parts Of
the field.
Lazily reclining on the grass, the guards
played with their battered OLD muskets,
and kept o keen lookout for the slightest
Indication of tagging work or insubordi-
nation on the part of the eighty prisoners
who wero engaged in hoeing cotton.
There was little danger OF the convicts
escaping A heavy ball and chain were
attached to each man aud 1t was difficult
to make much Roadway. The guards
were always vigilant, and when it was
necessary they had q pack Of trained
bloodhounds In reserve for the pursuit and
capture Of fugitives.
Suddenly one Of the guards looked at his
watch.
DINNER timer he exclaimed, and rails
ing whistle to his lips he blew keen
blast, which was heard all over the field.
The effect was magical. Every hoe fell
to the ground, and four squads of convicts
were soon sitting in tho shade deyouring
their scanty rations of corn bread, bacon
and greens. Forgetting their miseries for
time, these unfortunates rcveled in the
enjoyment of their rude repast. The
clinking of their chains was interspersed
with bursts of hoarse laughter over ON oc-
casional joke, such jokes as are never
heard outside of o oh ain gang camp.
During the progress of the meal one OF
the guards was Attracted by the peculiar
conduct OF q prisoner in one Of the squads.
Approaching him the guard said in surly
tone:
"See hero, Joe, no shamming now; II
won't do, you know. No sickness al.
lowed In this camp"
The CON- ct looked up with start,
looked int 10 cruel eyes OF cruel face,
and saw nc Grey there.
Course ai' he snarled. ~ wonder il
you have heart"
''Think have" replied the other non
chalantly, ''but that has nothing to dc
with your case, my friend. Our worthy
host, Col. Clay, is of the opinion that q
convict never gets sick-he only shams--
and as his instructions are to punish every
case Of shamming with thirty-nine lashes,
well laid on, / have nothing to do but tc
obey orders. You understand"
The convict looked up into the face Of
his guard.
The guard looked down into the face o.
the convict.
Tall and erect, youthful and handsome,
making allowance for the cruel eyes an(
face, the guard, despite his rough jeans
suit, looked like man who had seen bet
ter days. And his history did not rur
counter to his appearance. Five years be
fore Dick Macon had been one of thu
spoiled darlings of society. The gaming
table and the wine cup had sent him down
at headlong speed to his present level
| had reduced him to the necessity of &c
cepting the position of chain gang guart
ON Jefferson Clay's convict plantation.
The prisoner, whose keen black eye
were scanning the relentless face abov
him, was middle aged man, whose Sigh
frame showed that he was i'll fitted to bea
| the hardships of his situation. His rest
less eyes, haggard face, trembling hand
and husky voice would have awakenet
| pity as well as contempt in the breast 0
almost any observer.
There was nothing novel in the spec
tacle to Dick Macon, however, and bring
ing his musket down with viciou
thump he said;
"You'd better take care, Joe-you'll ge
licking before night if you don't sc
about your work quicker"
Joe bowed his head and muttered;
''Twenty thousand dollars, and wa
fool enough to think Of giving him hall
I'll bide my time"
"What's that2" asked Dick Maco
quickly
"Nothing," answered Joe, with hi
head still bent down.
"Joe!' said the guard.
'WellY' was the snappish response.
81 want to know, you rascal, what 20
meant by your allusion to $50, Coo"
''Oh, it was nothing, replied the Other
cit was mere madness on my part
meant that would give half of the $50
600 that / have securely hidden away if
could once get out of this blastedd lace.
lOu lduSIiSu VI
guard, edo you think you can make N
tumble to that sort of racket You neve
had $40, 900 in your life"
Liar, yourselfr' shouted Joe, with
sudden flash Of fire in his wolfish eye
"What am here for, Dick MaconY'
, "Humph!' said Dick, murder, b.
lieve."
Correct, " returned the convict. emu
der it was. | was convicted on circun
stantial evidence, and owing to that fa'
!, l saved my neck, and was sent up f(
| life. But with that murder was col
: nected a robbery. When old Henderso
was killed he had on his person none
, and valuable jewels amounting to a sma
fortune"
The guard looked at the other convict
They were little distance off, quarre
, ing over their rations.
, $50 on" said he.
"Did you ever hear that the plund,
was found?" asked Joe, with q cunnir
) leer.
Don't know that / ever did," sa
e Dick, "but still it may have been found.
: "Not by - sightp answered il
2 with great energy. "The booty is sa
S enough, and could lay my hand on it
forty eight hours if could just get out {
this cursed camp"
g "What will you give for freedom
!, asked Dick with a provoking grin.
!, 'Half ~ cried the prisoner. "TC
| an =